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We can't Waive Our Gratituties -Abia Pensioners Tell Gov Otti

Published

Friday, October 25, 2024 at 12:32 PM

Written by Omotola Adeleke

We can't Waive Our Gratituties -Abia Pensioners Tell Gov Otti

The Nigeria Union of Pensioners (NUP) Abia State Council has strongly criticized Governor Dr. Alex Otti for his assertions about settling all unpaid pensions and gratuities owed to pensioners in the state.

At a press conference held in Umuahia, State Chairman Comrade Chukwuemeka Irondi clarified the real situation regarding the supposed clearance of arrears. He stated that the governor had not paid any of the 45 months of pension arrears accumulated from the previous administration, contrary to the claims made by the State Council.

Irondi, joined by other NUP officials, pointed out that the only payments made were for the ten months of arrears incurred between June 2023 and March 2024 under the current administration. He further noted that many pensioners are still awaiting their payments.

He mentioned that there was never any discussion about waiving their entitlements, including gratuities.

He stressed that the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with the NUP was a unilateral decision made by the governor, influenced by misguided advice from his aides, particularly former Commissioner for Finance Mr. Mike Akpara and Senior Special Assistant on Special Duties, Dr. Betty Emeka-Obasi.

He clarified that the Union never discussed gratuities at any stage, nor did they consider waiving pensioners' entitlements, including gratuities, in the MOU. He asserted that no one has the authority to mandate the waiver of gratuities for pensioners for any reason.

While acknowledging the Governor’s commendable efforts in various sectors of the state’s economy, including the timely payment of monthly pensions, the members urged a reassessment of the so-called Memorandum of Agreement, referencing Article 7(a) and (b) as stipulated by State Government representatives.

The statement read, “The Nigeria Union of Pensioners (NUP), Abia State Council, insists on a serious review of the so-called Memorandum of Agreement, particularly Article 7(a) and (b), as crafted by agents of the state government.

“The present administration only cleared arrears of 10 months (June 2023 – March 2024), which it incurred, and some pensioners have yet to receive even these payments. The so-called ex gratia payments by the governor are ambiguous, as they were not discussed with the union.

“The Governor’s assertion of having cleared 10 years of arrears is baseless and has no support within the union.”

Edited By: Chinedu Eze

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We can't Waive Our Gratituties -Abia Pensioners Tell Gov Otti

The Nigeria Union of Pensioners (NUP) Abia State Council has strongly criticized Governor Dr. Alex Otti for his assertions about settling all unpaid pensions and gratuities owed to pensioners in the state.

Irondi, joined by other NUP officials, pointed out that the only payments made were for the ten months of arrears incurred between June 2023 and March 2024 under the current administration. He further noted that many pensioners are still awaiting their payments.

He mentioned that there was never any discussion about waiving their entitlements, including gratuities.

He stressed that the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with the NUP was a unilateral decision made by the governor, influenced by misguided advice from his aides, particularly former Commissioner for Finance Mr. Mike Akpara and Senior Special Assistant on Special Duties, Dr. Betty Emeka-Obasi.

He clarified that the Union never discussed gratuities at any stage, nor did they consider waiving pensioners' entitlements, including gratuities, in the MOU. He asserted that no one has the authority to mandate the waiver of gratuities for pensioners for any reason.

The statement read, “The Nigeria Union of Pensioners (NUP), Abia State Council, insists on a serious review of the so-called Memorandum of Agreement, particularly Article 7(a) and (b), as crafted by agents of the state government.

“The present administration only cleared arrears of 10 months (June 2023 – March 2024), which it incurred, and some pensioners have yet to receive even these payments. The so-called ex gratia payments by the governor are ambiguous, as they were not discussed with the union.

“The Governor’s assertion of having cleared 10 years of arrears is baseless and has no support within the union.”

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